Employment

Benefits and Value of Leadership Development

 

We live in a modern, heavily industrialized and mechanized business environment. An increasing number of jobs that have previously been done with good old elbow grease is being automated. Never the less, one of the main success gauges for a company is its human capital. Simply put, companies that invest in leadership development perform better than those that do not. Although the demand for skilled labour is in high demand, businesses are having trouble finding adequate personnel. On the upside, leaders can be made and moulded. This means we can rely less on looking outside for employees. We do have to be willing to invest our resources in developing leaders. About 50% of managers do not have the knowledge and experience to fulfil these needs. But, 96% showed interest in a leadership development program, according to studies. Here are some tips on how and why we should invest in leadership development in our company.

1. Attracting and keeping talent

A satisfied employee is a productive one. Managers play a key role in making this a reality for all involved. Effective leadership can increase employee’s engagement and will certainly offset a potential cost of replacing them. Inspiring and showing them the positive impact through their contribution is a method used by the best managers. Compare that to a bad manager who will never utilize these methods, and will be unable to attract or keep high-performance employees. No matter the industry we find ourselves in, our company should always focus heavily on our people. They are a key part of our brand and, if satisfied, they will become the word bearers in promoting our company anywhere they go. Employees can be a walking and talking marketing opportunity. Companies are recognizing that potential and are making internal investments in order to capitalize on it. This way, external talent will come flocking in.

2. Chain of inspiration

The best leaders inspire others to be even better. These programs enable us to see the enthusiasm and motivation of our employees as soon as possible. A healthy competitive environment is what motivates and creates strong bonds. Some might feel uneasy leading other leaders out of fear of not being up to the task. Most of the times, it is just misplaced insecurity talking. Leaders are not really in a competitive state relative to one another, when talking about one company. They should be complementary. With this presupposition, any leader can learn from the other. Any one of them can lead another. Their skills are simply complementary and fill each other’s potential shortcomings. The benefits that it brings might not be that obvious. So, we should have a bunch of leaders and none of them has the same frame of mind? Exactly. If that were to be the case, we would end up with an echo chamber of ideas. This way, everyone can provide something useful and new to a brainstorming session. And that is one of the crucial aspects that a leadership development program should focus on.

3. Uninterrupted communication

One of the main aspects of defining a company and its path is the way communication is being handled. Important on so many levels, both vertical and horizontal, it defines our culture. Failing to define clear paths of communication can result in mistakes which can evolve to conflicts. At the end we end up in a hostile working environment, scratching our heads wondering how it all came to pass. Another part of being a great leader is being able to communicate through anything business life throws at us. Communications is not only about transmitting a message. It is also about detecting and preventing gaps or conflicts from all perspectives involved. What these training programs should enable is for the leader to adapt messages depending on the actors involved. Everyone has their learning style and it is not easy for one leader to adapt on the fly and meet them all.

Companies can perform a lot better if their teams are strong and efficient. The glue that keeps them all together is adequate leadership. Minimizing mistakes means minimizing the potential for conflict. Maximizing results means maximizing our bottom line at the end of the year. It is as simple as that. Implementing leadership programs will ensure that these vital business aspects are met in a professional manner.

4 Things You Should Consider Adding to Your Workplace

Your workplace is where you spend a big part of your day. You probably spend at least 6-8 hours a day in your office, so naturally, you should make your workplace as comfortable and practical as possible. And why shouldn’t be fun, too?

Maybe you have a home office or maybe you go to work but the good thing is that you can add some changes wherever you work that can make your life easier. Here a list of things you can consider:

1. Set your goals

This is not an actual thing to add to your workplace but it is highly important if you want to be effective and productive as much as possible. If you set your goals at the beginning of every month, week and day, it will be much clearer to you what you need to do and when and how to prioritize all those goals. Most of us have the tendency to get carried away – we believe we can achieve a lot in a short period of time and that it will be of high quality. Well, it’s not like that in real life. If you have a couple of big projects coming, they will probably be overwhelming, so it’s important to stay motivated and focused every step of the way. In other words, you need to break a big project into smaller goals so that you can feel good about yourself every time you achieve one of those goals. You can have a board installed on your wall to keep track of the project through individual goals and to check them by hand when you complete them – it will make you feel great about yourself.

2. Avoid multitasking

Multitasking may sound effective but it’s actually the time when you make more mistakes, which actually takes you a lot longer than it should. The reason behind this is that every time you stop with one task to concentrate on the other, you lose sight of what you were doing in the first place. When you go back to the first task, you’ll lose some time while trying to figure out where you stopped and trying to regain your focus. Monotasking is a much more effective approach – not only it is quicker but it also gets your creativity going. If you are in need of new ideas, the best way is to focus on one task and let your brain focus only on that for some time. So, once you decide what task you want to focus on, surround yourself with everything you’ll need in order to do the task. It will also prevent you from having to interrupt your focus. This means you should work on just one screen – turn off all the others and also remove your cell phone. If you notice you are reading the same sentence over and over again, that means your brain and body need a short break. Physical movement will do you good. If you can, add a Pilates ball or a running track machine – you can stretch your back on the ball or do a couple of exercises on it or you can stretch your legs by having a speed walk on the machine. It will boost your energy and make you more focused when you sit back on your chair.

3. Have a stress-relieving gadget

No matter what your job is, you will definitely feel stressed from time to time. Sometimes the problem can be is that you don’t have much time to take a big break and go outside to have lunch or to go for a relaxing work to clear your thoughts. There will be days when you will simply have to stay in your office and deal with the stress there. That’s why it’s important for your office to have a few items that can relieve your stress in a couple of minutes so that you can back to work as soon as possible. For example, some people find a Pilates ball a great addition to the office. Others find an anti-stress ball a very effective tool. You can have a corner of the office with scented candles and relaxing music set up in the CD player whenever you feel you need a couple of minutes to relax. If your job needs you to stand a lot, then you should prevent too much stress for your feet by getting an anti-fatigue mat. Stores like Mat Shop offer various mats that not only prevent the feeling of fatigue in your feet but are also very durable for offices with high traffic. The point is to find out what works for you when it comes to relieving stress while at work.

4. Expand your knowledge

You should never stay at the same level, so the best thing for your brain is to read something new every day. Have a shelf in your office with interesting books or magazines on different subjects that interest you. Whether you want to stay up-to-date regarding your niche or you want to learn something new that is outside your field of expertize, you should remind yourself to keep on reading by installing that shelf in your office. Not only that reading helps you learn new stuff but it is also a nice distraction of your everyday work when you need to step away from your daily tasks.

5. Enhance collaboration

If you are a part of a bigger team, you need to exchange ideas with your colleagues whenever possible. Maybe you have a specific room for this, but even if you do, why not arrange a part of your office where you can sit with a colleague and share ideas, experiences and problems? It’s easier if the two of you can sit and relax while simultaneously try to come up with a solution together.

Final comment

It is clear now that your workplace can easily be turned into a place of productivity, fun and effectiveness if you have the right approach and if you fill your working space with things that actually help you do that.

Signs Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Is Doing a Good Job

Hiring a workman’s comp lawyer is a fundamental requirement if you are seeking benefits by filing your case with an employer. The lawyer would make a significant impact on your case and can practically take the course of the case in your complete favor. Workers’ compensation lawyers like Mark Vomacka Larson specialize in the legal practice of assisting their clients, to fight for all the benefits and money owed to them. Mark Larson is a prime example of an American lawyer who has recovered millions of dollars in benefits for his clients. Mark is associated with a California-based legal firm called Larson, Larson, & Dauer and throughout his professional experience, he has notably established himself as one of the more recognized, younger southern California lawyers, in the legal profession.

If you want to assess the performance of your client then the example of Mark Larson is ideal for you. Since Mark has certain characteristics which make up an ideal lawyer, it is your right to make sure your own lawyer finishes in the same way. So, here is what you should be considering in your lawyer:

Availability of your lawyer – Your lawyer should give you an utmost priority. Their office needs to be a call or meeting away, ready to assist you and help answer any questions that you may have. Mark Larson is always on the look for thoroughly listening to the plight of his clients because this allows him to better assess the case and take necessary measures from that point. A good lawyer would ask you the right questions and will be available when needed.

Breakdown of fees and other costs – Many lawyers get paid on a contingency basis. In workers’ compensation, your lawyer will get a minimal percentage of your recovery, but It depends on the laws of your state. Usually, it is around 10 to 20 percent. A great lawyer would advise you regarding additional costs and who would explain who is liable to cover them. Besides, they would sign a written agreement with you and the contract would tell you the exact measure of expenses, just like how Mark Larson does.

Their personal insights on the case – A good lawyer’s legal prowess would come into play here as they would be able to make the right comments and draw an outline on your case. They would give you a realistic assessment regarding your case and every step that would occur in the legal course. They would also help you prepare for a deposition. They would also tell you the right facts regarding your medical improvement, type of benefits you qualify for and any word regarding a settlement.

Their ability to define your role – Most importantly, the lawyer should advise you regarding your contribution to the case. You have a huge part to play here and not to prompt complications or delays, it remains a matter of you doing more than just asking. Your lawyer would always lay great emphasis on you siding with the truth. They would also guide you on necessary medical appointments, documentation and the level of your cooperation with them.

This is an overview of the merit by which you need to draw a judgment about the integrity and credibility of your lawyer. Most lawyers have a professional duty towards their clients and you stand with every right to call them out should they slip away from the course.

3 Scientifically Proven Arguments You Can Use To Negotiate Less Working Hours with Your Boss

Do you often end up keeping yourself busy at the end of the workday simply because all the work has been done? You need to stay till the end and complete your shift though instead of getting home earlier and being productive there or spending time with your family.

But what if that’s not the most effective way to spend your time as an employee?

1. Working longer hours doesn’t make employees efficient.

If your boss is a bit old-fashioned, chances are he or she doesn’t follow current trends in your field or check out research on employee performance, health and productivity.

Because if they did, they’d find out what longer hours spent in the office actually ruin performance.

The very first thing your boss needs to know in order to let you work less is to understand that the number of hours you spend working isn’t actually related to the amount of work you’ll get done.

It’s a universal rule. You can get everything done for the time given to you, doesn’t matter if it’s work, study better or accomplishing your daily activities.

Your boss might find it interesting that the workday in Sweden is 6 hours and the benefits of that are plenty. The country is also among those with the highest quality of life, so they must know what they are doing.

The 6-hour workday idea is not new, it just hasn’t been adopted everywhere. It’s based on Parkinson’s Law, which states that “work expands to fill the time available for its completion”.

Being given fewer hours to complete your tasks also gives you a certain type of pressure that makes you more efficient and helps you be more productive.

2. Overworking is bad for your health.

We’re all tired at the end of the workday. And yet, we need to stay till the last minute and do some work, then go home and do this all over again the next day. A lifestyle like that leads to experiencing burnout and the consequences can be quite bad.

Such exhaustion (both mental and physical) can result in accidents, making mistakes at work, sleep problems, health issues, and having to take some time off work.

All of this will then require you to deal with the consequences for a long time before you get back on track. Both your company and your family are going to suffer because of this.

3. Shorter working day improves employee well-being.

When employees are given enough downtime, they can relax and leave their problems behind, do things they enjoy and spend time with loved ones.

That also leads to increased job satisfaction and can actually attract better workers to the company.

Let your boss know that you would come energized at work after you’ve left earlier the previous day. All this affects your health and levels of happiness, and no one wants sick, tired or miserable employees at the office.

25.7 million hours have been lost due to ill or stressed workers. Maybe that can make your employer consider if his company too isn’t wasting precious time because of this, or whether the employees aren’t having stress-related issues or simply less time to enjoy the pleasures of life.

Good luck in taking care of your work-life balance!

To get on your feet in the USA. Eight types of profitable occupations

Arriving in the US it is not necessary to start with a dishwasher or a waiter. It is only necessary to look around a bit and understand that sometimes small capital investments are enough to be closer to your dream profession. After all, the main thing is to do what you like and then you will certainly achieve success, whatever you do.

We will tell you about eight professions that you can acquire without spending years and tens of thousands of dollars for training. Renting a car at Rentalcars24h can be very supportive at the dizzy pace of life in the USA.

  1. Specialist for the software quality control

This is the shortest path to the IT world, after which many people seek. In addition, now is a perfect time to master this direction. The procedure of obtaining H1B working visa for IT workers became more complicated, which means that employers will look for employees among those who are already in America. In a short time, you can master a profession that will bring you $ 55-60 thousand a year from the start.

In New York, specialists are trained for manual and more advanced – automated quality control. To become a specialist in manual control, no special training is needed. If a person is familiar with a computer at a household level – he or she can already master this profession. If you do a study on the Internet, you can see that in the field of automated testing in the New York area, there are currently around 800 offers.

The specialists of manual testing are trained in three weeks. In addition, teachers help to write a summary at the end of the course and prepare for an interview with future employers.

The cost of a short manual testing course is approximately $ 1000. The full course of automatic testing will cost about $ 2000.

  1. Specialist in medical billing and coding

As you know, you cannot do without an insurance in the USA. The patient, the insurance company and any institution that provides medical services, are all connected with a so-called ‘biller’. To become such a specialist, you need to know the types of insurance, as well as to master the special coding of various medical services and to master the maintenance of professional medical records. You can learn this kind of office work in courses. This profession is becoming more in demand. The fact is that large hospitals buy up small medical offices and recruit a large number of such specialists. In other words- in a short time you get a necessary profession.

Anyone can master the specialty of the biller. Moreover, you can get a specialty, even if you do not speak English fluently. At many of the courses, the teacher conducts the lessons in two languages. At the end of the course, students take the exam and receive a certificate. The average salary of a biller is 15-18 dollars per hour at the start. Such specialists are needed at hospitals, private medical offices, nursing homes, various laboratories and insurance companies.

  1. Florist

In America, the flower business is a huge industry. For mastering the basics of this profession not more than a month is needed. In a short time you will learn the names of hundreds of plants, learn how to combine different flowers and herbs, understand the subtleties of the profession. Of course, if you want to go further, you will have to invest a lot more money and efforts (on average, full-fledged courses of florists in the United States cost from 2 to 7 thousand). The average annual salary of a flower designer is about 49 thousand, while in large cities it can reach 60 thousand per year.

  1. Confectioner

This is another profession, which does not require much money and time for its development. In addition, here it is not necessary to master the language perfectly – after all, the pronunciation you have does not affect the quality of the muffins you bake.

Basic courses can be completed in a few months, investing about 2-3 thousand. However, in order to become a sensible confectioner, you will have to study further. There are many courses in the US, which improve sweet artisanship. Starting from one-day classes for baking macaroons and making marzipans for $ 50-100, ending with long courses on decorating cakes and even going to a school of chocolate.

  1. First aid worker

The courses for obtaining such a profession cost from $ 650, and the medical diploma is not needed at all. The fact is that the task of the first aid workers is not to urgently treat, but only to take the patient to the hospital safely. Therefore, to get this work in many states, it is enough to have a diploma of a secondary school, a certificate of passing the curriculum and a document, showing that a person is able to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The basic program can be mastered in just 150 hours – during this time you will be taught to use a defibrillator, to assist in delivery, apply tourniquets and bandages and make injections.

If you want to go deeper into the profession – you can go further and get the specialty of the EMT Paramedic. However, this can take a year and a half or two.

  1. Wedding Planner

The preparation for the celebration in the United States begins at least a year before the wedding, money for the wedding is not spared and most often, the trained specialist is entrusted with its organization. It is not difficult to get such a profession as the proper courses are offered by wedding agencies, colleges and private companies.

Usually the Certified Wedding Planner program lasts about 3 months. The cost of it may be different, but on average, it is $ 600-1000.

  1. Permanent make up and microblading artist

The profession of a permanent make-up artist can be mastered in less than 2 weeks. Practically anyone can learn the art of filling the spaces between the eyelashes, drawing permanent eyeliners and making lip tattooing. Neither medical education nor the ability to draw are necessary, although their availability is useful. This takes 100 hours, divided between classes with the teacher and home preparation. Students learn the theory, are acquainted with the structure of the skin, with contraindications to certain types of procedures, learn to apply a local anesthetic, learn to use a tattoo machine. After completing the course, a certificate is given, which is required to obtain a license to work in a particular state. The artists who wish to develop and raise incomes, master microblading – the course together with the device costs about $ 2,500.

  1. Clinical Medical Assistant

One of the most popular professions is the medical assistant in the medical offices.

The program of preparation for the CMA specialty includes theoretical studies and practice in medical offices at the end of the course. Graduates of the program receive a certificate, after which they pass the National Exam with the receipt of the national CMA certificate – it allows you to work in this specialty in any state.

The CMA is a specialist who performs both medical and administrative functions. He or she must have knowledge of anatomy and physiology, take an electrocardiogram, take blood for analysis and collect other tests for laboratory testing. It is also necessary to answer calls, set the time of reception, collect information for the patient’s medical history and manage accounts and insurance.

Salaries that are offered to such professionals range from $ 30 to $ 40,000 per year, and the demand for certified CMAs is growing.

Many of the new immigrants discover that they will not be able to work on their former specialty and need to find another job in a short time. The main thing is not to give up and keep on searching for the right options, which are suitable for you personally.

Skills vs. Connections: What is More Important Nowadays?

To hone your skills or to network? That is the ultimate question we all have to come to terms with, at some point in life. Some may place their bets on having the right skills while others may swear by the importance of their network.

They both may be right because experiences vary from one person to another. So, does the submitted MBA application personal statement from potential candidates. You could be looking for the ideal position after your MBA, or think about starting or growing your business.

Whatever your reasons, you need to think critically about your next move. Below are the reasons why?

Changing employment landscape

A 2016 report by the World Economic Forum, on The Future of Jobs, predicts that many people will be in jobs that don’t exist at present, by 2020. The report also predicts a shift in skills that are sought after, from technical to soft skills.

It is a shift that is already taking place in various industries. As employers seek potential employees, who have attributes such as, problem-solving, time management, effective communication, ability to work in teams, and more. According to The Ladders, possessing soft skills brings the performance of an employee, to life.

The democratisation of the ability to network

Throughout history, whom you know, has been more important than what you know. When there’s difficulty in finding the appropriate contacts, hoarding of information, and scarcity of cash; that is mostly true.

However, the development and increased usage of various social networking platforms, networking is becoming democratised. They have made connecting with people as smooth as a Google Search. Regarding capital, it is safe to say that it is relatively plentiful.

Besides, with more information becoming public, this offers a person less competitive advantage, nowadays. You don’t need an invitation to listen to free TED lectures. In a world that’s more hyper-connected, whom you know may not matter as much as it did in the past.

Personal Connections are essential to a business

A good connection could write you a compelling waiver letter. All over the globe, technological advances are opening up new economic avenues. Both consumers and businesses have a wide array of organisations to choose from, which increases competition.

In an article in the Harvard Business Review by Cara France and Mark Bonchek; they explain what a business needs to remain competitive. They show how creating relationships that are mutually beneficial to the customer, and the organisation gives a company, competitive advantage.

The Concept of Marginal Benefit

It is a concept from economics that may not apply in your search for a suitable statement of purpose for MBA service but proves useful in this debate. It is the idea that many activities, result in diminishing returns.

In the tradeoff between skill-development and networking, the worth of an activity depends on your position on the marginal benefit curve. For one who never cultivates connections, networking more may prove beneficial, than improving your skills.

On the other hand, no matter how many people you know, if you don’t have the right skills; you are useless. You need to have something that people can pay you to do. Besides your skills and connections form a loop of positive feedback.

In that, your skills improve depending on the people you know. In turn, with improved skills, you can meet more important people.

Possessing a better network drives you to better your skills because of the limited opportunities that encourage rapid growth of one’s abilities. Often, these opportunities flow through relationships. It may be difficult for you to separate your skills from your connections.

Once you have built valuable skills that other people want, it will be easier for more people to want to have a meeting with you. For many of us like high-value people, right?

Conclusion

For some people, finding a balance between networking and developing one’s skills may prove difficult, especially for the introverted types. We often if not always find refuge in our solitude and rarely form strong connections with the people we meet for the first time.

However, in a world that celebrates extroversion, it may be best to tap into your extroverted mode, once in a while. Try cycling between these two opposing modes for your career growth.

Besides, when you form new relationships, you open doors to serendipity. As for which is more important, it all depends on your location on the curve of marginal benefit. Some may benefit from more networking, others from improving their skills.

Then, there are those who need to find a balance between both. All in all, the connections we have, generate the opportunities available to us, and for you to accept any of those opportunities, you need the ability to deliver.

10 Pieces of Advice for Writing a Cover Letter to Get a Job Offer

Wouldn’t it be better if we just let our resumes or CV speak for themselves when job hunting? Well, that’s the question we often ask ourselves when we have to write a cover letter. Then comes the notion that it would probably not be read by the recruiter.

However, a bespoke cover letter is as important as a top-notch CV. Also, more than half of the professionals consider it an essential component of an application. That implies you may need to get yourself expert cover letter writing service when applying for that job you have been eyeing.

Here are some tips to help you craft a choice cover letter:

1. Don’t Regurgitate your Resume

Writing a cover letter, be it an internal cover letter, allows you to tell the prospective employer about who you are. It should be different from your resume. The way to go about this is to pick three essential skills that the employer is looking for and highlight them.

Give specific examples of how you demonstrated those traits. Add value to the cases you have selected by including numbers. If you have little to no experience, then focus on showing transferable skills that you have acquired.

2. Match the tone of the company

Different rules may apply in each industry and even company. Use the cover letter to show your understanding of the culture of the potential employer. You’ll need to do a little bit of research.

Check their social media and company website. You can go further and observe the tone of their employees online. Incorporate that tone in your cover letter, if they are somewhat informal, give it a professional spin.

3. Show what you are capable of

Hiring managers know that the position would be valuable for you. So, don’t talk about it. Instead, emphasise what you can bring to the company.

Talk about what you can do in the future, not just what you have done in the past. Show the reviewer of the cover letter for project manager that you can deliver on the priorities and essential requirements of the job.

4. Avoid Clichés

For your content to stand out, it has to be personal. Clichéd phrases and buzzwords may cause your letter to be thrown in the rejection pile. For instance, instead of saying that you are a team player, write about a time when you worked in a team.

Highlight your achievements and explain what happened.

5. Customise it

Many of us have a generic cover letter that we use in our applications. That’s a good thing. The problem comes when you use it as is, for every other job application. You need to tweak your cover letter to match the position you are applying to.

Look at the job listing carefully. Then pick two to three experiences or skills required and give examples of how you demonstrated them. Remember to include the keywords used in the job listing, in your cover letter.

6. Shorten your Anecdotes

Use of examples makes the cover letter, effectual. However, watch out that you don’t include irrelevant or unnecessary information. To avoid wasting valuable space, then expound on your examples in only three sentences.

First, introduce the highlighted skill. Explain a situation where you showed this skill. Ten, talk about the result.

7. Your educational background may not be that important

For new graduates especially, don’t focus too much on your educational background. Your work experience is what matters most to the hiring manager. That includes your internship and volunteer experience also.

8. Don’t Point out what you Lack

Don’t draw attention to whatever skill, education or experience that you could be missing. Focus on what you have and demonstrate how they make you a suitable candidate for the position.

If you have gaps in your work history though, you can explain your reasons briefly and get back to highlighting your abilities and skills.

9. KISS (Keep it Short and Straighforward)

Be it an online or hardcopy cover letter; it should be a short piece. A cover letter should span a single page and use around 300-350 words. For an email, three or five sentences will do.

10. Consider Testimonials

Use the positive feedback you have amassed to highlight your passion in your area of expertise. Integrate it seamlessly, as evidence.

Conclusion

Confidence in yourself will change the way you write your cover letter. Don’t forget to proofread it, however.

7 Signs it’s Time To Start Your MBA

MBA programs are definitely some of the most challenging you can throw yourself into and one needs to be ready before committing. It takes time and effort to succeed at and without any sense of passion for it, you might find it too much. You might find yourself at a point in your life where you are considering doing an MBA. It is completely normal for some doubt to set in, but these signs should be a guide.

If you are committed to taking on an MBA dissertation, you are already in the minority. Be positive about the process and you should find it less daunting. Here are 7 signs that tells you it’s time to start your MBA.

1. Possible Promotion

Sometimes you need to take drastic steps to advance at your company. If you have done all you can, but still cannot get that promotion, it might be a sign. Doing your MBA is not going to guarantee you getting promoted, but it does increase your chances. This is an opportunity to show that you are serious about advancing your career and allows you to stand out.

2. Business Skills

A lot of people do their MBA to start a business, but you can use business skills while working for an employer. Perhaps you have been thinking about adding some skills you can only learn in business school to your resume. Once you understand that this is an interest of yours, it can be a strong sign that you are going to gain the knowledge you crave.

3. Boredom

Being stuck in the same position in your career can drive anyone up a wall. It is unacceptable that anyone needs to be bored in their career, but it does happen. Perhaps a new challenge is just what you need. A statement of purpose mba is already going to start eliminating that boredom.

4. A Switch

Are you ready to switch up careers? It might be a sign to start your MBA. I know there’s a lot of uncertainty that comes with switching career paths, but it can actually be a very satisfying prospect. Doing your MBA will not open new career doors for you, but it also changes the way you look at life. You can find your passions moving towards something completely different and having an MBA in your pocket won’t be a bad idea.

5. Experience Galore

If you have picked up a lot of work experience throughout your career, you might be the perfect candidate to do an MBA program. These experiences and skills are not only going to help you while doing an MBA, but it is going to help you add value. Your MBA dissertation could include work experience and set you apart from the rest.

6. Over Achiever

We all have different personalities and there are those who just love to achieve the next goal. If that is you, it might be time to take on a bigger challenge. Being goal driven is a great personality trait and can help you reach success. It does not guarantee success, but it is an asset.

7. Under Achiever

If you have not achieved much in your career, it does not mean that you cannot do your MBA. Perhaps it is just what you need to excel. It can be the opportunity you have been waiting for to help you do well at something that is going to change the way you think. If you are an under achiever, it might be a sign to do your MBA.

How To Find Your Next Job In Finance – Without A Headhunter

Have you ever used a Headhunter to find a Job?

Headhunters perform essential work for employers looking to fill highly specialized or senior-level roles. But there’s a lot they won’t tell recruits about how they operate. And, anyway, it’s not at all clear that they’re necessary for entry- and mid-level finance jobs, especially in a red-hot job market.

Your career is your own to make, so no one can tell you whether a headhunter is right for you. If you do choose to go it alone, use these five tactics to guide and shape your search.

  1. Understand the Positions For Which You’re Applying

This sounds overly basic, but you’d be surprised how widely definitions of common financial industry roles vary between employers and subsectors.

Start with a reputable arbiter of employment information. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics defines “financial managers” as professionals “responsible for the financial health of an organization…[t]hey produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.”

Then, check employer websites and job descriptions to see how their role definitions square with the “neutral” ones. Any gaps could provide clues about their expectations.

  1. Check Reputable Employee Reviews

Next, check employee review sites with real, vetted reviews from actual current or past employees. As with any online reviews, you’ll need to take individual feedback with a healthy helping of salt. Still, in the aggregate, reviews’ tone and content can provide important information about employers.

  1. Talk to Current Employees, Off the Record

Go deeper and speak off the record with current employers who hold positions similar to your own. You’ll of course have an opportunity to do this during the interview process, but know that you won’t get the full story from semi-scripted conversations set up by the employer.

  1. Make Sure the Organization’s Values Align With Your Own

“Culture fit” is finally getting its due. If you don’t identify with a prospective employer’s mission, or you don’t see your own values reflected in its priorities, you won’t thrive there. Full stop. A quick survey of the employer’s website is a good start, but you’ll want to ask pointed questions during your interview, too.

  1. Network, Network, Network

Last, but certainly not least, network like your job depends on it (because it does). Never pass up an opportunity to speak with someone who might be able to advance your career, however tenuous the connection. And don’t shy from after-hours networking events, either; you may well meet your next boss or mentor at one.

Looking for Your Next Job Is a Full-Time Job

Even in a seller’s market for finance talent, job-seeking is hard work. If you’re serious about finding the ideal job that aligns with your strengths and provides commensurate compensation, you need to be willing to put in long hours for as long as it takes before you sign your employment contract.

The rule of thumb: you need to treat your job search like a full-time job. The silver lining: in this market, your diligence is likely to pay off in short order. You won’t have to work at finding your job nearly as long as you’ll (fingers crossed) work at whatever job you find.

10 Tips To Strike A Good Work-Life Balance

The phrase “work-life-balance” may be used a lot, but, how much importance do we really give in implementing it to our daily lives that is still questionable.

If you are one of those people who is completely satisfied with your working hours- then great for you. Maybe you are following your passion and your work does not seem to be like work at all hence you derive that high level of satisfaction. Or, it could also be, you know to keep yourself stress free and have great working hours.

However, if you are one of those who get stressed out and are looking for ways to strike the perfect balance between work and life, here we have compiled tips for you to follow:

1. Understand what is causing your work-life-imbalance:

Why are you working so hard? Is it really necessary for you to stay at work for so long? Are you simply working without a right direction? Are you following expectations or benchmarks set by people around?

Find out what is the core reason why you are undergoing so much of pressure. Take a step back and try to see clearly for yourself what you can do in order to change that and bring about a little more organization and balance to your life.

2. Work smartly:

Now that you have come to understand the causes of your stress, now work smartly.

What does it mean?

It means you need to first of all prioritize your work and set standards (attainable) for yourself. Then, avoid work which seems to be out of structure. For example, is that meeting really necessary to attend? If the answer is no, then cut it out.

There is a misconception that working for longer hours will bring in better results. But, that is so not the case. The productivity is at its peak when the stress levels are optimum. Too much of stress and work will simply kill you productivity.

3. Do not bring work home

This is the golden rule to follow. Leave your work at your work place; when you come back home, give time to yourself or your family.

Say you are working so hard for your kids- but, it would be a pity if you are not able to form a strong bond with them.

You can also consider this – you are working so hard to have a good life but if it comes at the cost of your health and well-being, it really is not worth it.

So leave your work at the office – closure is extremely important.

4. Perfectionism can be harmful:

If you fret about every little detail that is going wrong, chances are high that you will end up being frustrated and taking more time to complete something which you could have otherwise completed real quick.

STOP! You do not need to do that. Reviewing your work is extremely important but, it is more important to draw the line and understand where you can cut yourself some slack.

5. Stay away from work e-mail:

Once you are done with your working hours, keep yourself away from your work inbox. It will simply add to stress that you do not really need to take.

If there is something that your team needs to communicate with you urgently, ask them to simply give you a call.

6. Learn to say “NO”:

If you find yourself saying “YES” to every unreasonable demand your colleagues or superiors makes at work, you need to seriously re-consider your actions.

According to The Mental Health Foundation, it is very important for employees to speak up and when they feel that work is getting to them.

7. Organize your life:

As much as it sounds cliché, keep a diary which you can use to track down your daily activities or plan your week.

What to include? The time you keep for yourself (including spa-time), family, chores, friends and everything else in between.

This will help you to get rid of tasks that would have otherwise taken up a lot of your time.

8. Take care of your mind and your body: 

Your health is very important. Take some time out for exercise and meditation.

The daily stress is bound to get to you and the daily physical and mental workout is definitely going to be and outlet for the stress.

9. Set rules for others:

If you are instantly ready to jump into any assigned task or are always available for your colleagues, you have to stop that.

Firstly, you need to set a time frame for each task completion and secondly, you need to make your colleagues understand that you have a time frame within which you can get back to them – be it 2 hours or 20. You need to set boundaries for your own well-being.

10. Make your own rules:

You have to understand that people are going to have expectations from you at work.

It is not that you are not going to give your best shot. You will and that can be achieved if you set rules for yourself. For example, if people expect a work to be done in a particular way which you find unproductive. Then, ignore the process and get the work done in the process which you think will bring about the highest levels of productivity.

In other words, learn to ignore what you should have done and do what is the right thing to do as long as it serves your purpose and your work is complete.

There you go; we have outlined some basic steps that you can follow, in order to strike a balance between your work and life.

Remember, your health and well-being is of utmost importance, so you need to take care of yourself!

Writing Your First Resume: 10 Things Everybody Should Know

When it comes to writing your first resume, you should not be overwhelmed with the task. You have been through so much during school and should see this as just another project Sure, this is part of determining your success, but if you keep a few rules in mind, you will do just fine.

A lot of resume typing services are available online, but if you have a goal of doing it yourself, it is possible. Make sure you have a solid strategy in place and get the elbow grease out. Here are 10 things you should know if you are writing your first resume.

1. Job Posting

It is important to take a close look at the job posting and use it as a guide. This advert is going to have all the information about what they are looking for and the skills required. Read over it a few times to get a feel for the direction you should take your resume in.

2. One Page

When you are doing your first resume, keep it to one page. This should be enough space to write down what you have accomplished up until now. If it is an entry position you are applying for, you want to make sure it is short.

3. Relevant Information

You want to include only relevant information on your resume. The information should be linked to the post you are applying for. When typing a resume it is easy to get carried away, but stick to the facts only.

4. Research the Company

It is easier to write a resume when you know who is going to be reading it. Have a look at the company’s website or speak to someone who works there if you can. Every writer know that if you have an idea of who your audience is, you can write better with them in mind.

5. Power Words

Recruiters go over a lot of resumes on a daily basis and you want yours to stand out. Using power words like “resolved” or “achieved” speaks of action being taken. The recruiter are more likely to go over the entire resume if you include these types of actionable words.

6. Format

Having skills that would add value to the position you are applying for will trump experience any day. You want to highlight these, but you also want to get your format correct. Go online and look at what the standard format is at the moment and apply it accordingly.

7. Professionalism

You may not feel like a professional just yet, but your resume should. When it comes to resume typing, you want to exude some level of professionalism. This is going to give a good impression, which is what the aim should be.

8. Be Honest

Even if you believe that you don’t have enough skills or experience for the position, always be honest. Keep in mind, that you are going to be put to the test when starting your new job and if you cannot complete tasks, it will reflect negatively. Let the company know exactly what you are capable of and what you have not perfected as yet.

9. Brainstorm

Do not write your resume in a hurry. Instead, take some time to brainstorm and think about all your accomplishments. These are going to be included in your resume in a tactical manner. You did accomplish some things in your lead up to this moment and if you spend time thinking about it strategically, you will come up with more.

10. Believe in Yourself

It might be frightening to do your first resume because you do not have a lot of experience yet. The truth is, everyone starts out with no experience and builds it over time. Be kind to yourself and get your foot into a door. Believe that you are good enough for this position before applying. Confidence can take you a long way.

What Is Professional Business Attire for Women?

Woman, Women, Office, Work, Business, Professional

If you have recently entered the professional world or received an important promotion, you might be wondering what you should wear to fit in well in the office and still feel chic. Before you set out to purchase a complete stylish work wardrobe, educate yourself on what clothing will facilitate your business success and what outfits and accessories you should avoid.

 

Ditch the Extremes

 

You might adore bright pink stripes or sequined sweaters, but the safest choice is to go subtle. If you crave pattern, choose conservative, classic ones like plaid or simple prints and avoid anything with too much distracting bling. This goes for jewelry, as well: select pieces that won’t look too flashy and attention-grabbing.

 

Business Woman, Beauty, Portrait, Woman, Vietnam

 

Go Classic

 

Dressing neatly never goes out of style. Opt for tailored separates like pressed pants and crisp shirts that you can dress up with a silk scarf or well-cut dresses. Suits also make a sophisticated, professional impression and it pays to purchase higher-quality outfits created out of fabrics like wool blends which are long lasting and won’t easily wrinkle.

 

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Choose A Comfortable Fit

 

Tight clothing might show off your figure out at the club but at work, you’ll want to opt instead for a comfortable, easier fit. Avoid skirts that are too short and constricting and select shirts, sweaters and tops that don’t expose a lot of cleavage or are too snug against your chest.

 

Person, Woman, Asian, Female, Business Woman, Working

 

Don’t Reveal Your Underclothes

 

What you wear under your clothes is, of course, your choice, but keep it a secret. Avoid clothes that are tight enough to show off your thong or shirts that are see-through and show off your lacy bra. Also consider choosing underclothes that provide good support and fit you well in order to keep you comfortable all day.

 

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Keep Footwear Comfortable and Classy

 

Remember that you aren’t walking the runway when you go to work. Those sky-high stilettos are great for the annual gala, but when you’re heading to work, keep it comfortable and classy. This could mean a conservative pair of flats or closed-toe pumps in a colour that works with your outfit. Be sure that whatever you wear, you can walk easily and won’t end up with blisters and aching feet that will distract you from your work.

 

Follow these tips to dress in a stylish manner that will help you stand out where it matters: with your Profession work rather than with your wardrobe.